Lisa Berkman of Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) testified on November 20, 2013 at a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing that called attention to life expectancy and health disparities based on socioeconomic status and where someone lives. The hearing was before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

Berkman said that “employment is almost always associated with better health” and noted work policies that are linked to better health outcomes: the earned income tax credit program, maternity leave, and other work-family practices.